Combination heating and light radiating device



y 4, 1938. w. K. BEYEIR 2,118,145

COMBINATION HEATING AND LIGHT RAD IATING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1927 INVENTOR.

H15 ATTORNEY.

Patented May 24, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION HEATING AND LIGHT RADIATING DEVICE Application February 1, 1937, Serial No. 123,405

9 Claims.

This invention relates to radiant energy devices, and more particularly to a therapeutic or health lamp unit having dual radiating means operable to emit rays of infra-red or ultra-violet frequency.

More specifically stated, the invention contemplates a novel radiating unit including a base of heat resisting material adapted to screw into a power socket, and having means for removably supporting a pair of are producing electrodes and a luminescent resistance element in circuit with said electrodes, together with reflector means for reflecting radiation from the arc struck between the electrodes, and means for reflecting the heat and other radiation from the resistance element.

A further object is the provision of a unit of the class described further adapted to produce radiation in the infra-red range by shunting one of the arc electrodes across the electrode terminals.

A still further and more specific statement of the important novel features of the invention includes the provision of a base of heat resisting material having a reduced end portion upon which is fitted an attachment for screwing the unit into a power socket, and having a yokeshaped electrode support seated in an opposite end portion with a resistance element coil in a spiral about the intervening body portion of the base, the outermost ends of the yoke arms having aligned sleeves slidably supporting a pair of electrodes which are connected in circuit through said resistance With the aforesaid means for connection to a power socket, the unit further being provided with an annular reflector fitted over the electrode yoke member and attached to the main body of the base.

Other novel aspects of the invention will appear as the following description proceeds in View of the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of the unit and a refiector bowl therefore mounted on a standard;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical median section through the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the bowl portion of the device of Fig. 1, showing the radiating unit in elevation with the arc electrodes shunted;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section through the outer end of an electrode sleeve, and taken along lines 44 of Fig. 2; while Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken through the electrode yoke along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2.

The device of Fig. 1 includes a reflector bowl 55, I0 preferably provided with a handle member I l and mounted upon a standard I 2. A threaded receiving socket I4 is mounted in the central or focal region of the bowl Ill and is provided with a suitable conducting cord and plug l6 for connection to a source of electric current, usually 110 volts and either alternating or direct.

The radiating unit as seen in Fig. 2, includes a base member of a suitable ceramic or heat resisting material, having a reduced end portion I8 over which is fitted a threaded socket cap 25 and at the outer end of which is a small stud portion or shoulder 22. The intermediate body portion 24 of the base is enlarged and terminates at its right-hand outer extremity in a flared annular face 26, having a central bore 28 which extends into the central region of the body of the base.

As seen in Fig. 3, the outer surface of the flared face 26 of the base, is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed raised portions or shoulders 30 extending inwardly from the outer periphery of the face, while the inner periphery of the latter is provided with oppositely disposed grooves or cut-away portions 32 (Figs. 2 and 5), each substantially 90 degrees away from the aforesaid shoulders and curved inwardly toward the center of the bore 28.

A yoke-shaped electrode holder having a bight portion 34 provided with an outwardly extending shoulder 36 and oppositely disposed arms 38, is seated in the slotted portion 32 of the base, with its shoulder portion 36 fitted into correspondingly shaped recessed portions 40 at the inner extremity of the arcuate slot formations 32.

A stay bolt 42 is passed axially through the base and has one (right-hand) extremity passed through a central bore 44 in the shoulder and bight portion of the electrode support, with a nut 45 threaded onto the end of the bolt so as to clamp the yoke in its seat 32 in the base, the opposite end 46 of the bolt bearing against the endmost shoulder 22 and forming the central contact for the socket plug structure in which the threaded sleeve 29 forms the other contact.

The electrode mounting means includes a pair of metal sleeves 50, each having an outer collar or shoulder portion 52 and an inner threaded end portion 54, and each passed through axially aligned holes in the outer end portions of the yoke arms 38 and secured in place by nuts 55 threaded onto the ends of the sleeves.

Each of the electrode sleeves has a radial bore 58 (Fig. 4.) formed in its collar portion 52 and communicating with the inner periphery of the sleeve. In addition, each of the collar portions 52 is provided with a circumferential groove 60 into which is fitted a spring collar 62 adapted to bear against a presser ball 64 seated in the radial bore 58, and urge the same into contact with one of the electrodes 66 inserted in the sleeve so as to allow free axial movement of the electrode therein while at the same time assuring that the electrode will not move after it has been set in a desired position. Additionally, each of the sleeves is provided with a contact collar having a contact lug 68 and contact screw 69 threaded therein.

A thin annular reflector 10 having a pair of oppositely disposed openings '12 through which the respective side arms of the electrode yoke are passed, is fitted flush against the shoulders on the outer face of the base and secured to the latter by means such as the bolts 3i. This reflector disc is provided preferably with a polished outer face suitable for the reflection of ultra-violet rays.

The electrodes 65 are preferablyof a corbonaceous composition and are each provided with insulated manipulating handles iii-fitted onto their outermost ends so that the carbons may be grasped and adjusted while the device isin operation, without danger of shock or burning.

The outermost surface of the main or intermediate body portion 24 of the base member is provided with a spiral groove or track '14 (Fig. 3) leading from the outermost (left-hand) end thereof to a point adjoining the flared (righthand) end of the base, and a'coiled resistance element Bil is wound about the base in this groove and has one end portion BZVconnected to an angled connecting lug 2! attached. to the screw cap 26 and thus adapted for connection with one side of the power line, while the opposite end 83 of the resistance coil is connected with one of the lugs 68 and thus with'the corresponding elec trode sleeve 59. This end portion 83 of the resister preferably passes through a hole near the outer rim of the face of the base, and thence upwardly through one of the openings 12 in the reflector plate.

It is highly desirable that the composition and dimensioning of theresistance coil 88 be such that the same will become luminescent upon the passage of a current greater than the maximum current which flows across the electrode circuit when an arc is maintained, the reason for this being that the novel radiating unit is adapted to have the electrode terminals or sleeves 5i! shunted by one of the electrode carbons 66, as seen in Fig. 3, so as to raise the electrode to a SllfilClBIlt temperature to produce rays of infrared range, while at the same time generating heat rays and attendant radiation from the resistance coils 80.

When'the device is used for infra-red radia tion as aforesaid, it is most desirably utilized in conjunction with a suitable reflector bowl it which, as will appear from Figs. 1 and 3, will direct a large part of the radiation from the coils 8i) outwardly in a direction co-extensive with the reflection from the smaller refiector disc 35. In this manner the simultaneous radiation of ordinary heat rays and infra-red rays is achieved, together With such additional infra-red and related radiation as may be peculiar to the coils 80 in their luminescent or glowing state.

When radiation in the ultra-violet range is desired, the shunt electrode 66 is simply withdrawn from contact with its opposite sleeve Ell and another electrode 66 is inserted for engagement with the first electrode 66 to strike an are which, it may be observed, will be maintained for a short period of time, for example eight or ten minutes, without further adjustment of the electrodes, and which will thereafter be automatically extinguished by the slowly widening gap between the ends of the carbons due to the current flow.

It will thus be apparent that I have provided a simple and novel radiating unit having adjustable carbon electrode members which may be arranged for the production of an electric arc to generate ultra-violet rays, and further adjustable for shunt connection across the power circuit for the purpose of producing infra-red radiation, and, additionally, the device includes a novelly arranged resistance unit in series with the arc electrodes to stabilize the arc struck therebetween and also operable to limit the current flow through the shunted carbon while at the same time generating a useful amount of radiation of the infra-red class.

It will further be apparent that the novel radiating unit is designed for combination with a reflecting member such as the bowl I!) for the purpose of directing the radiation from the resistance unit, co-extensively with the radiation from the shunted carbon, and while I have described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention it will be obvious that various modifications may be made in the specified arrangement without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not intend to be limited by any specific recitations herein except as may be hereinafter provided in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A radiant energy generator having a base of heat resisting material provided at one extremity with a reduced portion having a threaded socket-engaging sleeve thereon and provided at its opposite extremity With an enlarged face portion, a yoke-shaped electrode supporting member seated in grooves formed in said face portion of the base and secured in place by means of a conductive stay bolt extending through the base to the outermost extremity of said reduced end portion to form a companion contact for said threaded contact sleeve, the arms of said yoke being provided with axially aligned conductive sleeves adapted to receive electrode members and having yieldable means engageable with electrodes therein to hold the same in adjusted position, a resistance element disposed about the outer periphery of said base intermediate said reduced end and said enlarged face and connected in series with one of said electrode sleeves and said threaded contact sleeve, the other said electrode sleeve being electrically connected to said stay bolt.

2. A radiant energy generator having a base of heat resisting material provided at one extremity with a reduced portion having a threaded socket-engaging sleeve thereon and provided at its opposite extremity with an enlarged face portion, a yoke-shaped electrode supporting member seated in said face portion of the base, and having portions interfitting with complementary portions in the base and being secured in place by means of a conductive stay boltextending through the base to the outermost extremity of said reduced end portion to form a companion contact for said threaded contact sleeve, the arms of said yoke being provided with axially aligned'conductive sleeves adapted to receive electrode members and having yieldable means engageable with electrodes therein to hold the same in adjusted position, a resistance element disposed about the outer periphery of said base intermediate said reduced end and said enlarged face and connected in series with one of said electrode sleeves and said threaded contact sleeve, the other said electrode sleeve being elec trically connected to said stay bolt, and a reflector member supported on said base between said outer face and said electrode sleeves.

3. A device of the class described including a base member of heat resisting material, means carried at one end of said base for supportable engagement with a power socket and including a pair of conductive power contacts, means at the opposite end of said base including a yoke of heat resisting material and having a pair of spaced arms provided with axially aligned conductive sleeves for the reception of electrodes, said yoke having parts for interfitting engagement with said base to prevent relative movement of the yoke and base, yieldable means in said sleeve for adjustably holding electrodes in position therein, and a resistance element connected in series with one of said sleeves and one of said power contacts, the other said sleeve being connected with the remaining one of said power contacts.

4. A device of the class described including a base member of heat resisting material, means carried at one end of said base for supportable engagement with a power socket and including a pair of conductive power contacts, means at the opposite end of said base in the form of a yokeshaped member having interfitting seating engagement with said base and including a pair of spaced arms having axially aligned conductive sleeves for the reception of electrodes, yieldable means in said sleeves for adjustably holding electrodes in position therein, a resistance element connected in series with one of said sleeves and one of said power contacts, the other said sleeve being connected with the remaining one of said power contacts, and a reflector plate fitted over said spaced arms and attached to said base between said aligned electrode sleeves and said resistance element and adapted to reflect radiation from an arc struck between said electrodes.

5. A therapeutic lamp comprising a base member having a substantially central bore opening into an end thereof, means at the opposite end of said base for connection with a source of electric power, electrical radiating means arranged on the outside of said body between said ends, and means for mounting electrodes in pairs, said means including a yoke member having opposite arms and axially aligned means slidably receiving electrode members at the opposite ends of said arms, said yoke having a portion between said arms fitted into the open end of said bore, and attaching means extending through said yoke axially through said body and securing the latter and the yoke in assembled relation, said electrode receiving means and said radiating means being connected in circuit with said power connection means.

6. The device of claim 5 further characterized by the provision of a reflector body having a pair of spaced slots and fitted over said yoke against the bight portion thereof with said opposite arms extended through said slots, together with means for holding said reflector in place.

7. An electrotherapeutic lamp includin' main body member having a central bore opening into an end of the body and the latter having out- Wardly flared portions adjacent the open end of said bore, means at the opposite end of said body for connection with a source of power, resistance radiating means arranged on the outside of said body between said ends, a yoke-shaped member having opposite arms with axially aligned ings therein, conductive sleeve members fitted into said openings and adapted to supportably engage cooperable electrode members, said yoke member and said body being of a non-conductive heat resistant substance, said yoke having an extending body portion between said arms and adapted to be received in said open end of the bore, together with an elongated attaching member extended axially through said body between the ends thereof and through said extended portion of the yoke and adapted to hold the latter in assembled relation with said body, said sleevelike electrode members and said resistance radiating means being electrically connected in circuit with said power connection means.

8. A mounting for electrotherapeutic lamps of the type having a heat radiating electrical resistance arranged in circuit with a pair of arcing electrodes, said mounting members comprising a body of non-conductive and heat resistant material comprising an intermediate body portion having an electrical resistance member wound around the same, one end of said intermediate portion having a protuberance, a threaded conductive sleeve embracing said protuberance, said intermediate body portion having an axial bore opening into the opposite end thereof, an electrode supporting member of substantially U shape and formed of a similar non-conductive and heat resisting material, the bight portion of said U- shaped member having parts interfitting with formations provided in said bore adjacent the open end thereof, whereby the U-shaped member may be seated in said bore, a conductive attaching rod extended from the axial end of said protuberance through said body and the bight portion of said U-shaped member and adapted to hold the latter and said main body member in closely interfitted relation, the opposite arms of said U -shaped member being provided with axially aligned conductive electrode mounting means, and the latter and said resistance being connected in circuit with said conductive sleeve and said rod member.

9. The device of claim 8 further characterized by the provision of a reflector member having spaced openings and fitted over the opposite arms of said U-shaped member and attached to said main body member.

WILLIAM K. BEYER. 

